Critics say Trump's decision will make it harder to find a diplomatic solution to Syria's seven-year-old conflict.For Turkey, the step removes a source of friction with the United States. Erdogan has long castigated his NATO ally over its support for Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters against Islamic State. But on Friday, he cited the talk with Trump as a reason to wait. "Our phone call with President Trump, along with contacts between our diplomats and security officials and statements by the United States, have led us to wait a little longer," he said. Erdogan's foreign minister said the withdrawal plan would be discussed by the two countries in Washington in January.

Source: Economic Times December 21, 2018 17:37 UTC